Every year, the companies that produce robot vacuums and mops come out with multiple new models; at the same time, new brands continue entering the market, flooding you—the person who needs cleaner floors—with an overwhelming amount of options to consider and specs to compare.
Over the last eighteen months, I've tested forty or so robot vacuums in my actual home, not an obstacle course or test lab. I've asked the robots to deal with carpet, rugs, tile, and wood floors with every obstacle you can imagine, including low furniture, cords, muddy paw prints, and curtains. I've spoken to engineers at many of the companies whose robots I test to ask them questions about why technology is being replaced, or what need they're responding to when they introduce a feature. I've also gone through the support process on many of these robots, seeing how technicians respond to help questions.
I'm often asked which model people should buy, and while I do have my favorites, the real answer is that it depends a lot on what kind of household you're running. (More on what to consider and what not to consider down below.)